West Brom’s relegation rivals Leicester now face further points deduction as Premier League seek new sanction
Leicester are now facing a further points deduction in the Championship, much to the delight of those at West Brom.
The Baggies are hovering above the bottom three, with just two points separating them and the Foxes, who have just appointed Gary Rowett as they look to avoid their second successive relegation.
Eric Ramsay’s side welcome league leaders Coventry City to The Hawthorns on Saturday, before clashes against Charlton and Oxford, two sides fighting at the wrong end of the table, with West Brom.
Leicester are preparing for outings against Stoke, Middlesbrough and Norwich under their new head coach, after a six-point deduction threw the Foxes right amongst the relegation scrap.
And things could be about to get much worse, with the Premier League seeking another sanction.
Premier League release statement as they push for Leicester sanction
The Telegraph’s John Percy has reported that the Premier League are looking to impose a new sanction on Leicester due to a previous late submission of accounts.
This comes at the same time as Leicester’s own appeal, with the Foxes fighting against the current six-point deduction, while the Premier League are aiming for a harsher punishment.
The statement from England’s top-flight reads: “Leicester City Football Club has appealed the decision of an independent Commission to impose a six-point deduction on the club, after it found them to be in breach of the EFL Profit and Sustainability Rules.
“The Premier League has lodged its own appeal, limited to the Commission’s decision not to impose a sanction on the club for its breach of the League’s rules regarding the late submission of its Annual Accounts.
“To provide certainty for all clubs and fans, the Premier League will be seeking to have the appeal resolved urgently, and in any event before the end of the EFL season.”
Potentially facing further penalties, Leicester have 14 Championship matches remaining to secure their survival over the likes of West Brom.
West Brom could benefit as relegation battle takes another twist
Ahead of the current campaign, not many would have believed that both West Brom and Leicester would find themselves fighting for their survival.
The simple fact of the matter is that whenever either side are in the second tier, they are expected to be among the pack chasing promotion.
For one reason or another, that has not been the case this time around, with both clubs in serious danger of dropping to League One.
The Albion face Coventry next, and while nothing can really be expected against the league leaders, we are getting to the point of the season where Ramsay’s side need points from somewhere.
The ongoing issues at Leicester could have a big impact on the race, potentially taking the pressure off the Baggies in the coming weeks, but they can’t rely on that.
And for Rowett, it is a far from ideal start to his life as head coach, with issues away from the pitch likely to remain in the air for the opening weeks of his tenure.
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